Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Greetings fellow progheads...if you are in cold weather country, I hope you are finding ways to stay warm as the weather starts to match the pictures on the Hallmark Christmas cards. If you reside in a warmer climate, please don't tell me. Meanwhile, keeping the closet filled with lit candles has enabled me to stay comfortable, and finding all this new and fantastic progressive music has allowed me to keep the heat on without using the thermostat...

This week as I was rummaging through bin after bin in my search for all things prog I discovered some great music from yet another new prog band on the scene...so tonight we mingle with a band called "Falling Edge." Falling Edge is another prog band that pays homage to classics past while blazing a trail of their own. An exciting band with a unique sound, Falling Edge manages to keep one finger on the pulse of progressive music while meandering as close to the edge as they dare.

I start this week with a tune called "Crippled By Fear." The opening reminds me of some early Jethro Tull blended with a hint of Gentle Giant. The guitar is soothing as it blends right into melodic keys and the percussion that is just enough to lead the charge. The mood in the first few minutes glides from comforting to a more opium-like calm...I feel like a time traveler moving from 16th century Shakespeare through the Haight-Ashbury district of the 1960's set to a backdrop of sound that presents so many opportunities--and nothing to be afraid of. I do believe this trip will be a fun learning experience...

Next up is a song called " Not That Far Away." The vocals remind me of the Strawbs; Falling Edge is definitely a band able to change identity from song to song, a trait I find refreshing--perhaps because it is so rare today. The guitar and drums work so well together in this song, as though Kevin and Chris have a mind-meld going on...

Liner Notes...Falling Edge began in 2004 with founding members Chris Rupert on vocals and guitar, Kevin Tetreault on drums and vocals, and Don McClellan on bass and vocals. In 2005, one year into building their identity, Tim Bork joined the band on keyboards. While working on the debut album, Falling Edge went through the obligatory growing and learning pains...Don and Tim left the band and the hunt was on for a bassist and keyboard player. Several auditions, tryouts, sit-ins, and rehearsals later, Jim Walsh found himself a permanent gig in 2009 as bass player for Falling Edge. Steve Kubica rounded out the talent pool in 2010, taking on the role of keyboardist for the band . Thus was born a progressive rock band in the six year blink of an eye. Like a fine wine, the time spent blending and assembling Falling Edge was not wasted or ill advised...and the final flavor is a testament to excellent craftsmanship.

My third serving of Falling Edge is a tune called "I, Awake." This particular song is more upbeat compared to what I have heard of Falling Edge thus far, and like the others it has many time, tempo, and mood changes. A subtle sense of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer seems to flow through the keyboards on this tune. Falling Edge is able to align itself with the masters of prog while staking out their own territory at the same time...a statement to their musical knowledge, appreciation, and abilities. Falling Edge may be a newcomer to the prog scene, but I believe they will be mentoring the next wave of progressive bands when they start to spread their wings. Falling Edge has a sound that should stir the emotions of any current prog fan and stand the test of time for future generations to appreciate.

The cut below is "Social Engineering." The opening riff tells you Falling Edge is not afraid to leap right in, and as the song plays out you will feel as though you have spent the past fifteen minutes traveling through a prog time warp...and when it ends you want to get right back in line. While the guitars get you riled up, the drums keep you grounded, the keyboards resonate on the back of your mind, and the vocals jab you at random moments. A great introduction to a different road on the progressive music map.

OK my fellow progheads, I hope this week's listen behind the curtain to another new prog sound was as much fun for you as it was for me. Ironic is the fact that but a few short months ago I thought progressive music was stuck in a rut resting on its laurels...so glad I decided to take a look-see for myself because prog is sailing light years ahead of the rest of the music scene. Check out the Falling Edge website at www.fallingedgemusic.com to learn more about the band.

Because I refuse to succumb to the nasty weather that is approaching on all sides, I will continue my search for new and exciting progressive music. Until next week...

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Good evening fellow prog heads...as the country spins out of control weather-wise and the tar pit that is our nation's capitol sinks deeper into its own sludge, it is comforting to know there is always progressive music as the perfect escape. Not that we should ignore those in need or stick our head in the sand during tough times, but I like to think of this blog as an island of escape where we can just sit back, relax, and discover some freakin' good music together...

With that positive energy to guide me, I set out this past week in search of not only new (to me) prog music, but something entirely different. I wanted to stretch the boundaries of prog and my own paradigms about what prog is. This week I was determined to go in a completely new direction in my quest for all things progressive...which is how I discovered Subject to Thoughts...

Subject to Thoughts describes themselves as "dark melodic progressive rock/metal with a new age mood." OK, my interest is piqued--the marketing team scored a hit with that intro. Now I need to find out what Subject to Thoughts means by "dark melodic new age mood." Stepping right up to the buffet line, my first helping of Subject to Thoughts is a tune called "Deepest Regret." The song certainly opens on the dark side; I feel like I am in a labyrinth searching for a way out, only to find I am walking deeper and deeper into the abyss...and I like the feeling. There is a hint of Dream Theater in the music but Subject to Thoughts seems to cut a little deeper, much like Radiohead. The hard-edge to the guitar has me sitting with my back against the wall anticipating random attacks from all sides. I don't turn on the lights lest they see me, and the darkness just make it all the more real. Subject to Thoughts has grabbed me not only by the ears but also on an intellectual level--the music is extremely thought provoking. I like a band that stirs the mind as well as the soul...

The first song only made me hungry for more, so I helped myself to "Before The Leaves Fall." While not as dark an opening as "Deepest Regret," there is a definite pattern here. Both songs are from the album "The Culmination," released in 2010. My first thought was that this is a concept album dealing with life struggles and all the emotions--good and bad--connected to simply trying to exist. Turns out I am almost right; the album itself is part four of a concept and it deals with the closure aspect of those life struggles. Now I am really hooked...

Liner notes...Subject to Thoughts consists of Mark Mendieta founder of the band and Brandon Strader on guitar solos, vocals, and sounds. I take this to mean Mark does everything else--which is absolutely amazing! Even more incredible is the fact that Mark started Subject to Thoughts in 1999 and Brandon hopped on the carousel in 2007. So for eight years Mark was a one man band...

After listening to the first two cuts above, which are more recent, I am extremely curious as to the early sounds of Subject to Thoughts....which leads me to my next choice, "Remembrance." This is a deep song with a more somber mood. Very good percussion and keyboards; the flow and time changes to this song are really impressive--especially when you realize Mark was a solo artist at this time (2003) and "Remembrance" was originally recorded as part of a cassette demo...remember cassettes? The vocals are dark, heavy, and a bit gruff, which is perfect for this song. The mix is not as clean and crisp as I would normally expect, but for a ten-year old cassette recording this is damn good...

Subject to Thoughts is a band that swims in the deep end of the pool. The music stirs you on so many levels and makes you think about what you just heard. I cannot name many bands that I feel an emotional as well as intellectual connection with...bravo to you sirs.

The cut listed below is "Since The Inception," another song from Subject to Thoughts' most recent album "The Culmination." An obvious step up in sound quality from the early days--and I say that with no disrespect. Subject to Thoughts has raised the bar as far as recording equipment, but the quality of the music and the song writing is as great now as it was then. Subject to Thoughts is a band you listen to with your heart, soul, and mind...and all three are better for it.

Another week listening to incredible prog music has wound down...and so I continue on my quest. I really enjoyed this week's selections and I hope they tapped an emotional part of your prog world as well. Not sure what direction my quest will take me in next week--but I am eager to get started. So many bands, so little time...until next week...

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Hello once again fellow progheads and welcome to my closet. Amazing how fast Tuesday creeps up on us, isn't it? Spent the past week looking in dark and previously unvisited corners of the closet library in search of yet another completely new prog sound. Ironically what I discovered sounded both old and new; a
"retro-neo-modern-throwback-futuristic look at today" kind of band...or as I prefer to think of them--another new progressive band with hints of history...

If my opening paragraph failed to give it away, I am referring to Echolyn, a band I have really come to enjoy listening to. Echolyn has a sound that is reminiscent of Yes, Gentle Giant, and Genesis to name but a few. The music takes me to a time and place I remember fondly from my first encounter with progressive music. Yet at the same time Echolyn has a sound that is bold and new. Imagine Chris Squire and Brian Eno performing with Firegarden and you start to get the feel for which universe Echolyn travels in.

But enough talk--time for music. My first selection for review this week is "My Dear Wormwood." Right away I get the impression Echolyn has both a sense of humor and a deep appreciation for classics. The song opens rapid-fire with keyboards, drums, and guitar all blending into a mild, organized, cacophonous-like sound that is topped by strong vocals. The music is very good...I believe C.S. Lewis would be proud. It is clean, crisp, and leads the listener on a journey through a labyrinth of sounds that finish as quickly and abruptly as they started.

Moving right along the music buffet, I stop at another tune called, "One Brown Mouse." Recognizing the Jethro Tull title I half expect a poor cover of a great song--and I could not be more mistaken. If I close my eyes and focus solely on the music I swear Ian Anderson is singing lead vocals here. Echolyn has captured the essence of Tull and put together an incredible cover/tribute.

Liner notes...Echolyn is currently Brett Krull on guitars and vocals, Paul Ramsey on drums and vocals, Ray Weston on bass and vocals (sensing a pattern here?), Christopher Buzby on keyboards and vocals, and Thomas Hyatt on bass and vocals. So everyone sings and there are two bass players...I knew they were unique! Brett, Paul, and Ray left Narcissus in 1988 after tiring of the cover band scene. In 1989 they were joined by Christopher and formed Echolyn; Thomas signed on during the recording of their first album. Echolyn seems like a very tight knit family and they sound as though they have been doing this a lot longer than their resume states. Peeling the onion back one layer at-a-time, I discover that Echolyn has indeed dealt with growing pains. A long dispute with Sony records--suits who apparently don't understand what progressive music is--left the band without a label or a recording contract for a while. Fortunately (like family does) Echolyn rebounded and responded with enough of a chip on their shoulder to produce more fantastic music--but not so arrogant that they became the soulless suits they left behind at Sony. No; Echolyn is alive and well and proving that you can go home after all...

Just because I can, I go back to the buffet for another helping of music mastery...and discover "The Cardinal and I." Echolyn is a small venue band with a large venue sound and they pull that off with no fanfare. Echolyn seems to thrive on the intimacy of knowing their audience and cranking out music that defies the size of their set. "The Cardinal and I" drips with the essence of Gentle Giant and the deep thinking lyrical ability of early Genesis. But the crazy part is Echolyn acts more like a chameleon than a hermit crab--they may remind you of a band or sound, but they do not steal. Echolyn is to prog today what Buddy Holly was to rock 'n' roll in 1957...a much needed wake-up call.

The piece posted below is "A Suite For The Everyman." This song not only hops through the phases of prog in one sitting--it leaps through time itself. When I close my eyes I hear everything from King Crimson to Porcupine Tree to early Queen coming through the speakers...Echolyn has found a way to channel the best that both prog and classic rock have to offer. I only posted Part I; you really need to go out and get Part II and Part III for yourself...musical salve for your ears. You can learn more about the band at www.echolyn.com.

OK fellow progheads I hope you enjoyed this week's installment as much as I did. With music like this on the prog landscape I feel a sense of calm...progressive music is not only alive and well--it is being cared for and nurtured quite nicely. I don't know where we will end up next week but I do know this--it has been one helluva journey so far and I don't ever want to stop...so until next week...

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Good evening progheads and welcome back...but most importantly, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time to trek into my closet to check out something new, not so well known (perhaps), and different in the world of progressive music. I hope you believe like I do that the world does indeed need more prog...

This week I decided to go in a different direction and search for something I truly had no connection with...to try and find something that made me feel like I did when I first heard Gentle Giant, Porcupine Tree, and King Crimson. Thus I find myself this week drawn to a band called Moongarden. Just the name produces imagery in my mind reminiscent of a Yes album cover or perhaps something Peter Gabriel-like, circa 1969...

With no pre-conceived ideas about what to expect, or some well intentioned friend telling me what or who Moongarden sounds like, I dive in ears first checking out a tune called, "Who's Wrong?" Immediately I feel like I am in some kind of time warp...the song opens like an old Harry Nilsson tune and slowly morphs into something born of a Genesis-Marillion mutation--sans theatrics. The keyboards and percussion Moongarden use on this song are fairly impressive, wrapped around dark lyrics painting a vivid picture of the sadness, confusion, and uncertainty life can be. Suffice to say I am very intrigued...

The second selection for review is "Solaris Suite." A definite "coming of age" piece after "Who's Wrong?" The guitar is much more "refined and mature" (if that makes sense) and the percussion has picked up a notch as well. Vocals are strong and there seems to be much more cohesiveness between the members of the band. Moongarden has made great strides in defining their sound here...I feel a more solid connection to my progressive roots; Genesis and perhaps a hint of Pink Floyd seem to purposefully flow through the undercurrent of the song. Moongarden has found a way to channel classic progressive artists without being a cover band...quite impressive. "Solaris Suite" is a very strong piece of music and a great introduction to modern prog for the old fashioned listener.

Liner Notes...Moongarden is a progressive band whose beginnings are traced to 1993 Italy; always nice to hear new sounds coming from different parts of the world. A demo put together by Cristiano Roversi and David Cremoni received positive feedback and led to Moongarden's first full length album, "Brainstorm of Emptyness," released in 1996. Early challenges, difficulties, and personal issues kept the band from going further at the time. However; a few line-up changes, tireless dedication to their craft, strong song writing, and serious effort evolved into the Moongarden I am appreciating today. Simone Baldini Tosi on vocals, Cristiano Roversi on keyboards and Chapman Stick, David Cremoni on guitar, Mirko Tagliasacchi on bass, and Maurizio Di Tollo on drums are a five-piece progressive lesson in determination. Moongarden is a band that worked hard to make their mark and continues to stay strong so as not to lose ground. Moongarden is a band worth listening to for no other reason than they are good. The fact that the band started out somewhat unpromising yet were able to beat the odds makes their sound and success that much sweeter to savor and appreciate.

Looking for a third serving to help whet my already strong appetite I find, "A Vulgar Display Of Prog." The title has "intense curiosity" written all over it and I am immediately rewarded for following my instincts. This song takes me to so many different places in the prog world that I just want to lie back and savor it...vulgar indeed. Moongarden plays this song as if their progressive lives were at stake--and the Vegas odds-makers suddenly see a rush of people racing to collect their winnings. The fullness of the sound is complemented by the strength of the vocals--Moongarden can prog with the best of them. "A Vulgar Display Of Prog" is seven minutes of your life you won't wish you could have back--you might even be willing to use them up repeatedly.

I listened to several cuts of Moongarden music before finally deciding on the cut below for a post to accompany this blog. "The Gates Of Omega Part I" weaves so many layers of prog into a fine blanket that I just want to wrap myself in and enjoy for a while. The opening makes you feel as though the ground below is slowly eroding yet the fall is comforting...and then you are awash in an sea of emotion that runs deep, dark, and at the same time soothing. Moongarden is all the things I like about progressive music and hope to keep finding in the new bands I see dotting the prog horizon.

Well progheads, another seven days have fallen off the calendar...or perhaps they were windswept...either way each week seems to disappear faster than its predecessor. So take the time to relax and enjoy the sounds of Moongarden. You can find out more about Moongarden athttps://www.facebook.com/pages/MOONGARDEN. So until next week...keep the faith alive, the lights down low, and the music set to prog...